King Aerospace Commercial Corporation (KACC) has signed a lease agreement for two hangars at the Northwest Arkansas National airport. The secure-environment hangar spaces will be used to support highly specialised, FAA Part 145 modifications, engineering and integration services for mission-critical government or quasi-government widebody aircraft. These include everything from upgraded airborne defence systems to next-generation information systems. The facility, which will be called KACC ARK, will also provide maintenance, installation, programme management and VIP interior refurbishment.

“Everything came together to make this opportunity right for us,” says president Jarid King. “This carefully planned growth broadens our support for customers and gives us the chance to touch even more lives.”

In preparation for occupancy, the hangars have undergone significant upgrades to shop facilities, spray booth, exhaust systems, LED lighting and state-of-the-art fire suppression. In-house technicians and artisans will ensure interiors are executed to perfection and impeccable special-equipment modifications support needs unique to highly specialised or quasi-government modifications. The hangars can hold multiple widebody aircraft such as the Boeing 747, 767 and 777.

The hangars had been dormant for years following the closure in 2004 of the employee-owned Ozark Aircraft Systems (OAS), the North American maintenance centre for International Lease Finance Corp. Initially OAS provided engineering, modification and maintenance for a variety of aircraft and custom-built interiors for VVIP aircraft such as Boeing Business Jets.

“These hangars make us feel like the proud parents of twins,” says King Aerospace founder and chairman Jerry King. “We see the possibilities and will be good stewards so we fully realise their potential. We're working to keep them well fed. We do this out of love and are proud of them already.

“These hangars were on my radar screen even before they were built back in 1998 and I was at Associated Air Center. I guess part of me always felt fated to be part of their journey. They're an important part of our family now. The interest we've seen in the market gives us confidence that we're the right team in the right place with the right services.”

The hangars have access to the 8,800 ft runway and benefit from an air traffic control tower, 24/7 gated security and firefighting protection. Each offers 58,368 sq ft of hangar space and there is also 78,000 sq ft of engineering, shop and office space. The hangars meet US National Fire Code NFPA 409 and security requirements.

“I am thrilled this is working out for both King Aerospace and the highly skilled aviation workforce that never left this region after the closing of Ozark Aircraft Systems,” says former OAS CEO Dennis Davis. “They not only love this business, they have an unrivalled quality of workmanship, work ethic and craft. This world-class facility is purpose-built for the kind of work King Aerospace plans to do. It's a true win-win.”

The Northwest Arkansas National airport supports an average of 50 daily flights to major cities from coast to coast.

“We are so proud to have King Aerospace coming to our airport campus, creating jobs for our region and bringing a new level of energy to aviation businesses at XNA,” says CEO Aaron Burkes. “We expect this announcement to stimulate other aeronautical industries to explore the amazing opportunities for industrial growth at the Northwest Arkansas National Airport.”

The KACC ARK hangar spaces will be ready for occupancy 1 May. They will complement rather than replicate the company's offerings in Ardmore, Oklahoma.